HARRY ALBERT CORDER
Born: 1878, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Baptised: 31st March 1878, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Died: 22nd April 1901; age 23; Died of Enteric Fever, at Charleston, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
ENTERIC FEVER Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South Africa Boer War – 1899 – 1902.
This systemic disease, now known as Typhoid Fever, from the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is characterised by fever and abdominal pain. The disease is spread via the lymphatic system and can affect other parts of the body, or even the whole body. The symptoms usually developed a week or two after a person had became infected bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, lose of appetite, sickness and diarrhoea. After 2 – 3 weeks intestinal bleeding.
Enteric Fever was originally thought to be spread via dust storms and flies.
Human carriers with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through their faeces, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. The polluted water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Enteric (Typhoid) Fever is then contracted by drinking, or eating the contaminated food or water. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.
In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leisman, at the Army Medical School, Netley. At the time of the Boer War, the new inoculation had many side effects, and soldiers refused the voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War.
Residence: George Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Occupation: Mat Weaver.
Enlistment date: 30th November 1896.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 4517.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal + South Africa 1901 medal.
CENSUS
1881 Wilson’s Cottages, Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Harry was 3 years old and living with his parents, brother & widowed, maternal grandmother.
William Corder, 24, a Cocoa Mat Weaver, born Hadleigh.
Jane Corder (nee Scowen), 24, born Hadleigh.
Charles William Corder, 11 months, born Hadleigh.
Maria Scowen (nee Seager), 64, formerly a Nurse, born Kersey, Suffolk.
1891 George Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Harry was 13 years old, a Mat Weaver’s Assistant. He was living with his parents, siblings & maternal grandmother.
William, 34, a Mat Maker.
Jane, 34.
Charles, 10, a Backhouse Boy – Domestic.
Ellen Maud Corder, 8, born Hadleigh.
Ernest Edward Corder, 3, born Hadleigh.
William Turner Corder, 1, born Hadleigh.
Maria Scowen, 76.
Soldiers’ Effects to William Corder – father.
Harry’s brother, Ernest Edward Corder lost his life during the First World War, on the 12th February 1918, from Pneumonia. He was ranked a Private, service number 17546, for the Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion. Ernest was laid to rest at Taranto Town Cemetery Extension, Puglia, Italy. He was 30 years old, married with a young child.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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